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Missouri hosts many great wineries and winery regions. These regions allow you to experience multiple unique places and wines in one area, with only a short drive to the next stop. Take a look at the Meramec region of Missouri Wine Country and plan your next weekend adventure!

The Meramec region in Missouri sits within the beautiful Ozark Highlands AVA near the flowing waterways of the Meramec River. While visiting this region of wine country you can taste delicious wines, but also visit and experience multiple unique attractions.

When visiting this region, you will find gorgeous views, vineyards, and great tasting wine. This region also hosts a lot of different amenities that will make it a trip to remember. History, river views, unique fun experiences, lodging, great food and more make this region unique and a great way to experience all that Missouri Wine Country has to offer!

Meramec Region Wineries:

Eagles' Landing

Heinrichshaus Vineyard & Winery

Peaceful Bend Vineyard

Prairie Barn Winery

Spencer Manor Winery

St. James Winery

If you are visiting this region, Meramec Caverns is a must visit. Here you can zipline through the treetops, tour the beautiful caverns, pan for gold, or try out the climbing wall! Be sure take time for a relaxing ride on the scenic Meramec River as well!

If you are looking to connect with animals, this region offers multiple options. Visit Riverside Wildlife Center or Wild Animal Adventure!

Meramec Springs is a big outdoor attraction. Visit and go bird watching, camping, fishing or just enjoy the beauty!

There are many great restaurants and little shops to spend time at as well. Visit Clark Street Café and Bakery or the Silo Restaurant!

Another great thing about this region of wine country is the fact that historic Route 66 State Park is right nearby! If you are planning a Route 66 trip, this region is a must stop!

Click here to check out upcoming events and festivals in the region! 

Here are more resources for planning your visit!

https://visitstjamesmo.com/

https://mostateparks.com/park/meramec-state-park

https://www.visitmo.com/things-to-do/meramec-caverns

Travel to Missouri wine country and be sure to visit the Meramec Region, it will not disappoint! Share your trip with us using #mowine

November is Chambourcin month! This month we celebrate this smooth medium-bodied Missouri varietal. No matter which Missouri Chambourcin is your favorite, grab a glass and celebrate the charm of Chambourcin with us this month!

Chambourcin (sham-bor-san) is a red French American hybrid grape that competes for one of the world’s most popular hybrid grape varieties. It is known for its rich color that adds depth to many red blends. One thing that makes Chambourcin unique is that it is known as a teinturier grape (from the French word for “dye”) which is known for producing dark juice, rather than clear. 

The nose will often pick up notes of cherry and a light oak while it will taste earthy on the palate with strong notes of dark cherry. 

When sipping this wine, Chambourcin is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with soft and subtle tannins. 

Pair it with pork loin, burgers, short ribs, red sauce, mushrooms, applesauce, strawberries, figs, brie, camembert, walnuts, cobbler, chocolate cake

Or use Chambourcin when cooking with these delicious recipes varying from sweet to savory!

Wine Can Chicken

Cake Pops

Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin

Slow-cooker Chambourcin Mushrooms

Chambourcin Wine Reduction Sauce

Chocolate Cupcakes

Cranberry Sauce

Mulled Wine Cheesecake

Wine Finishing Salt

Missouri Red Wine Cheese Dip

Charm your guests this Thanksgiving with a glass of Chambourcin and share it with us using #mowine

Missouri wine country is full of artists. We celebrate the many artists of the wine industry, from the winemakers, label makers, and chefs who craft amazing and unique culinary experiences.

Art can also be storytelling, and the Missouri wine industry has a rich history with plenty of stories to share.

Check out a few Missouri Wineries that put as much into their artwork as they do the wine!

Adam Puchta Winery - Hermann, Missouri

This label is inspired by one of their winery cats, Ernie. The cat’s meow label is a painting of Ernie, and inside the bottle is a wine just as good! Be sure to visit and try some while visiting with Ernie and his furry friends!

Cave Hollow West Winery - Hannibal, Missouri

This label series is inspired by a Missouri native with one of their wine collections. The Mark Twain Cave series has labels inspired by some of Mark Twain’s work. This series is full of a rich history and can help you learn more about a famous Missourian!

Dale Hollow Winery - Stover, Missouri

The artist is in-house. Here the family’s matriarch Beth Dale designs the labels!
Check out our Behind the Label on Dale Hollow Winery’s Catawba here.

Beth is inspired by many different things, but it all goes back to the foundation of their winery which is to create a space that captures a bit of old-world charm. Visit today to check out Beth’s artwork and see if you can find the hidden “BD” in the labels! 

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Defiance, Missouri

Here they feature meaningful artwork on the bottle, but each label also tells a story! Visit Defiance Ridge Vineyards to view this artwork and ask about the story behind each bottle! Check out our Behind the labels on Poppy’s Vidal Blanc here and Parson House Chardonel here!

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard Winery & Brewery - Potosi, Missouri

They get their inspiration from their surroundings for labels. While you can see this on all of their labels, their Barn Series displays it perfectly. Check out our Behind the Label here. Using these old barns on the property as inspiration, they turned them into art! Read all about the meaningful story behind the Starlight label here. Be sure to visit and try the Barn Series and more!

Fountain City Winery - Kansas City, Missouri

With the co-owner Melissa, being an artist herself, each label is a different display of art! No matter which bottle of wine that you pick up at the winery, be sure to admire the label artwork!

Les Bourgeois Vineyards - Rocheport, Missouri

Their Annual Collector’s Series is full of art. Les Bourgeois Vineyards holds a Collector’s Series Wine Release and Art Show to showcase these wines and the art on them! Artists submit their work for a chance to be selected for the upcoming Collector’s Series. Be sure to visit and sip the entire Collector’s Series! Read more about this series from our Behind the Label here!

Ozark Hills Winery - Branson, Missouri

Even though they have just opened, they are including modern art into their labels. The unique names and design on the labels give consumers an idea on how to enjoy the wine! Enjoy the Chambourcin by the campfire, or the Niagara in a hammock. Either way be sure to visit this winery!

Van Till Family Farm Winery - Rayville, Missouri

This winery displays imagery on each wine label. Van Till Family Farm Winery is also committed to sustainability as a winery. Be sure to visit Van Till Family Farm Winery to learn more about their labels and try the wine!

Wenwood Farm Winery - Bland, Missouri. 

Wenwood uses the history of the town name and their own stories to inspire the art on their labels. Silver Dick is named after Richard Bland, a U.S. Congressman in the late 1800’s. He was in favor of switching from the gold standard to the silver standard. Bland where Wenwood Farm Winery is located, is named after him!

Check out Wenwood Farm Winery to explore their wine labels and the stories behind them!

Windy Wine Company - Osborn, Missouri. 

Not only does this winery have unique, tasty wines, their labels are also unique to them. In each Windy Wine Company label, you will find unique art, but also a hidden bible verse. Be sure to visit and check out these labels!

Share the art and the artists you find in Missouri wine country using #mowine

Time to vote! This year we had an exceptional group of photos that captured the beauty and essence of Missouri wine country. After an initial look by a panel of judges, it is time you help decide the winner of this years Through the Glass Photo Contest.

The winner of the contest will be announced October 22^nd and will receive a Missouri prize pack along with 2 tickets to the Missouri Governor’s Cup presentation at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. The winning image will be displayed during the event on November 13, 2024. 

Click here to place your vote on the winning photo!

Cast your vote from October 14^th to October 20^th.

Limit of one vote per day, per email.

Take a look below to see our 2024 finalists:

1. It is Time for Wine

2. Photo of my grandparents celebrating my grandmother's birthday

3. Daybreak in Wine Country

4. Dewdrops and Daydreams

5. Future vino

6. 8 Generations

7. Les Bourgeois Riverview Sunset

8. Vignoles at Sunrise

9. Springtime in Missouri

10. Sunset Celebration

Red wine is for red meat and white wine is for white meat, right? We are not so sure about that. For this Myth of the Month, we are going to look at this statement and let you know if it is accurate!

Rather than just assume that red wine only goes with red meat and white wine only goes with white meat, there are some of the other things to consider when deciding on a pairing.

Acidity:

Another thing to consider is the acidity and bitterness of both the wine and dish you are looking to pair with. When pairing make sure the acidity of the wine you taste, is at least equal to the acidity tasted from the dish.

Acidic wines can pair with fatty and sweet foods, but you can also pair acidic foods with acidic wine!

To try this out pair a Missouri Traminette with a spicy Asian dish, or a curry!

Fat:

With foods that have higher levels of fat, you have to even out the fat with acidity from your wine. The acidity in the wine will cut through the fat. You can also try and match the richness of the fat with the amount of alcohol in the wine.

To see how an acidic wine cuts through the fat of a dish try out a Missouri Chardonel with bacon mac and cheese.

Salt:

Food with a dominant salt taste can be challenging to pair. Try out a sweet wine. The sweetness of the wine will help cut through the salt. You can also try pairing with a more acidic wine. The acidity of the wine can clean out the salt and balance the dish.

Sweet and salty is always a winning duo. Try out a Missouri Concord with orange chicken! For the acidity route try out a Missouri Norton with a smoked meat.

Spice:

Foods that are on the spicier side can be challenging to pair with wine. A safe option is to remember that sweet cuts the heat. Next time you are pairing a wine with a spicy dish, consider finding a sweeter wine to use.

For example, a Missouri Vignoles with spicy pork ribs is sure to be delicious!

Sweetness:

If you have a sweeter dish, you have a few things to consider for pairing with a wine. If it is a dessert, be sure that the wine is sweeter than the dessert. If it is not a dessert, then a richer wine is a great option for pairing.

For pairing with sweetness in mind try out a Missouri Catawba with sweet barbecue chicken.

Red wine and white meat, white wine and red meat. It can happen! Be sure to consider these things when deciding on a pairing. Also check out our pairing guide here.

Wine is made for enjoying, and it can be enjoyed in a new and exciting way when paired with a dish. While there are definite recommendations for pairings, you can always try your own and decide how you like it.

Let us know what you like to pair with Missouri Wines using #mowine
 

Navigating the wine aisle can be pretty overwhelming with all the different labels and terms. It’s like stepping into a maze with rows of bottles that all seem to blur together. That is why we are here to help. Let’s break down a wine label in 6 easy steps! 

1. Producer – 
   1. The winery name is often prominent and easy to find, but sometimes you have to look for small text at the top or bottom of the label.  
2. Vintage – 
   1. The vintage indicated the year the grapes were harvested. If no vintage is listed, the wine is most likely a multi-vintage or non-vintage. 
3. Region – 
   1. The region can be as general as Missouri or American, or there may be a specific appellation listed. An appellation listed. An appellation is a recognized wine-making region known in the U.S. as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Missouri has 5 designated AVAs. 
4. Varietal – 
   1. A varietal is the grape used in making the wine. If the name is unique, the wine is likely a proprietary blend of grapes. 
5. Estate bottled – 
   1. This designation means the grapes were grown and the wine was produced, aged and bottled by the winery listed. 
6. Scale –
   1. On the back of the bottles there sometimes is a dry to sweet scale. This is not required but is very helpful. 

By breaking down and understanding wine labels it can completely transform the way you perceive wine. It can allow the experience to be fun and delightful! Familiarizing yourself with key elements on a wine bottle allow you to make informed choices and discover new favorites. Remember try new things and enjoy the wine you like! Next time you are in the wine aisle, take a moment to read the labels and enjoy the journey of discovering great Missouri wines. Cheers! 

Save your screw caps and use them for your next DIY craft. Spice up your home with these cute screw cap pumpkins that are not only perfect for Halloween but the entire fall season! 

Supplies: 

• Screw caps 
• Glue dots or hot glue gun

Steps: 

1. Lay pumpkin design out on table. 
2. Apply glue dots sides of screwcaps while sticking them together. 
3. Go row by row starting from the bottom. 
4. Allow time for glue dots to adhere. 
5. Decorate with the finished screw cap pumpkins around your home! 

Share your final design with us using #mowineDIY

Have you ever wondered how to take your everyday meals from ordinary to extraordinary? The answer is definitely simpler than you might think, wine. Adding a Missouri wine to your dinner meal takes it to the next level! Enjoy #MoWine with cuisines from all different parts of the world. 

Here are a couple popular dishes and what Missouri wine they pair well with! 

American:

• BBQ Chicken Pizza + Catawba  
• Burger + Chambourcin 

Chinese:

• Vegetable Fried Rice + Sparkling Wine 
• Beef & Broccoli + Norton 

Thai:

• Pad Thai + Vignoles 
• - Thai Green Curry + Traminette

Italian: 

• Alfredo + Chardonel 
• Risotto + Vidal Blanc 

Brazilian:

• Acarajé + Norton 
• Picanha + Vignoles 

Cajun:

• Gumbo + Seyval Blanc 
• Jambalaya + Chambourcin

Greek: 

• Gyros + Norton  
• Souvlaki + Chambourcin 

Cheers to the unique food of the world and Missouri wine pairings! Be sure to tag Missouri wines using #MoWine and #wineandfoodpairings!